Tag Archives: thandi modise

DA calls on Minister Motshekga to convene Defence Industry Lekgotla

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Picture: SANDF soldiers

By REGINALD KANYANE

2 June 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) said South Africa’s defence industry is in steep decline, suffering from years of neglect, poor leadership, and broken promises. The DA alleged that at the centre of this crisis is the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga’s continued failure to take action, including her inability to deliver on a long-promised South African Defence Industry (SADI) Lekgotla.

The DA Spokesperson on Defence & Military Veterans, Chris Hattingh, who is also a Member of Parliament (MP) said, the Lekgotla that was first proposed under former Minister, Thandi Modise, was meant to provide a path forward for the struggling sector. Hattingh said despite formal commitments, including a written parliamentary assurance that it would be convened by 31 March 2025, no progress has been made.

“The deadline has passed without any explanation, update, or new date. This silence is indefensible. Parliamentary replies now cite vague reasons like the “non-availability of stakeholders” and “factors beyond control.”

“These excuses dodge responsibility and show a shocking lack of urgency from the Minister tasked with protecting a sector critical to national security and economic growth,” he said.

Hattingh further said South Africa’s defence industry has been in decline for years. He added that revenue fell from R19.5 billion in 2016 to R12.5 billion in 2020.

“Exports have halved. Research and development has ground to a halt. Skilled professionals are leaving the industry. These are not just statistics, but they represent lost jobs, stalled innovation, and a weakening of our sovereign capability.

“Motshekga met with defence leaders in August 2024 and again promised the Lekgotla would be held by March 2025. That promise, like so many before it, has been abandoned,” said Hattingh.

He said while the Secretary for Defence now scrambles to salvage the process behind closed doors, the lack of ministerial leadership sends a chilling message to local industry, workers and global partners. Hattingh said the longer this continues, the greater the damage to the defence sector, job creation, and national security.

“We demand that Motshekga immediately break her silence, provide a public update, publish a binding date for the Lekgotla and take full responsibility for the leadership vacuum in her department,” he said.

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Opinion: North West to receive mortal remains of its sons from Zambia

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By ORAPELENG MATSHEDISO

26 September 2024- As South African government receives the mortal remains of its 49 fallen liberation stalwarts, it has to be noted that North West will be receiving the mortal remains of comrade Aron Tiro from Braklaagte, near Zeerust and comrade Mabe Klaas Bogosing from Ramosadi village, in Mahikeng.

It is important to receive these heroes of our country and the province with a befitting honour, discipline and respect. Their sacrifices should not go unnoticed, together with leaders such as comrade Moses Kotane, JB Marks, Thandi Modise, Ruth Mompati, Dende Tladi, Kaone Lobelo, Kgosi Dick Montshioa, Dr Silas Modiri Moleme and Kgosi Ramotshere Moiloa.

Many of our living and departed cadres have through their determination and sacrifices ensured that our province contributes to the liberation of our country. I take this opportune moment to express my sincere gratitude to Dr Otsile Ntsoane and many other writers for their continuous contribution to write about the role and contribution of Batswana in the liberation struggle.

This history is important because it has to be passed from generation to generation. As the North West celebrates Heritage Day, I am tempted to disturb the two of our sons from their coffins, who have landed in the country from Zambia.

I want to tell comrade Aaron Tiro and comrade Mabe Klaas Bogosing that we celebrate heritage annually on 24 September, but the majority of our dams that resonate with our culture are still in the hands of a few individual capitalists, who charge us a lot of money to access them.

The Taung Skull is still out of the province and for many years, a call has been made for its return to Taung. My fellow comrades, many game farms are still in the hands of a few whites who refuse to share the land with us.

I must also tell you that, the ANC that you belonged to, its military wing, Umkhondo We Sizwe (MK), has attracted many questionable characters in its ranks and files.

Characters that continue to destroy and tarnish its reputation. The movement is bleeding and as you come to rest in the soil of your province, may your spirit revisit the hearts of members and leaders of the movement to remind us of your sacrifices and the tasks of this epoch, as we renew the ANC to grapple with the challenges of the moment.

We are fighting each other for positions, not that we want to use those positions to further the liberation struggle, but to loot state resources and deployed and employ our relatives and families. We are doing things that are opposite to what you fought and died for.

May the arrival of your mortal reminds serves as a re-kindling and re-ignition of the revolution spirit of selflessness in pursuit of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR).

Yesterday, it pained my heart and I even shed tears, when I heard the daughter of the former Secretary General of the ANC, comrade Duma Nokwe saying an ANC scarf was found on his neck since his burial in 1978. A scarf that symbolised his dedication to the liberation and his love for the ANC and the people of the continent.

May the souls of all the 49 heroes and heroines rest in peace.

(Note: Mr Orapeleng Matshediso is written this in his personal capacity and Taung DailyNews and its associates, do not agree nor disagree with the content of the article. Whatever that has been raised in this article remains Mr Matshediso’s views)

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Mokgosi: “We have done much to respond to the plight of the youth since 1994”

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Picture: The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi said the Month of June reminds them of the heroism of the young men and women. Mokgosi, who addressed the Provincial Youth Day celebration in Derby on Saturday said, it is important to pay tribute to the gallant fighters of the June 16 generation, whose struggles and sacrifices placed the country on a firm path towards freedom, which they obtained in 1994.

He further said they declare without any fear of contradiction that South Africa belongs to all who live in it (black and white), united in diversity. Mokgosi added that the province is proud of its galaxy of June 16 freedom fighters like Onkgopotse Tiro, Thandi Modise, Kaone Lobelo, Zakes Molotsi, Molahlehi Tau, Kagiso Ramatlhoko and many others, whose fearlessness inspired the people of the province to join and participate in the struggle for national liberation.

“Their tenacity laid an important foundation for a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous country. It is fortitude which paved the way for the long-standing resolve of our forebears, who in the Freedom Charter proclaimed that the doors of learning and culture shall be opened to all.

“This among others means, education shall be free, compulsory, universal and equal for all children. I am honoured to join today’s important occasion, which marks the start of the countdown to the historic half century (50th Anniversary) of the June 16 Uprising,” he said.

Mokgosi said a few days ago, the country celebrated the 69th Anniversary of the Freedom Charter, which was adopted on 26 June 1955 as a blueprint for the democratic dispensation of 1994 and the nation building project they have pursued since. He said they also remember the lives of innocent people who were shot and killed in the year 2008 in the informal settlement of Skierlik.

“This tragedy sent shockwaves across the globe and put a dent in our continued quest for a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous country. Our gathering here today is a testimony that the foundations of our democratic society are stronger and will not be shaken by those seeking to divide our people. The revolutionary spirit of Onkgopotse Tiro shall forever stand guard to defend the gains of our freedom and inspire us to fight more and harder for the full attainment of economic liberation for our young people in the villages and townships.

“We have done much to respond to the plight of the youth since 1994. But it is not enough as the youth carry the burden of the failures of our socio-economic project. The youth and mostly black and African women more than any section of the population (53% in North West) are poor, they are not in education, in employment nor any,” said Mokgosi.

He said they are missing out on opportunities available to them. Mokgosi said they need to do more and it is a moral duty of their struggle to do good by young people, to give them a stake in the society and give their citizenship meaning.

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Premier Modise to open 2 nd North West Annual BRICS Expo and International Trade and Tourism Conference


North West Premier Thandi Modise is to deliver the keynote address for the official opening of the 2nd Annual North West BRICS Expo and International Trade and Tourism Conference that is to commence at the Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mahikeng as from 12:00 this afternoon.

“Deputy Minister of Tourism Tokozile Xasa will give an overview of the South African Tourism on the first day of the conference which is aimed at providing international and local business with valuable insight and exposure on how to leverage South Africa’s inclusion in the BRIC grouping, while showcasing the North West Province’s attractiveness as an investment destination” Lesiba Kgwele said.

The economic and investment advantages of South Africa and the North West Province being part of the BRICS Group, trade and investment opportunities, evaluation of progress made since last year’s North West BRICS event,industrialization projects that the currently implementing in growing the economy of the province will feature prominently throughout conference which ends on Saturday.

The conference has attracted international, national and local businesses across all the sectors including small, medium and micro enterprises, national and provincial government departments, investment promotion agencies, tourism agencies, companies in transportation, financial institutions, academia and the media.-TDN
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Bapela concludes unannounced site visits in North West

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By Obakeng Maje

Deputy Minister for the Department of Performance Monitoring in the Presidency, Obed Bapela concluded his unannounced Front Service Delivery Monitoring (FSDM) visit at Mahikeng South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Montshioa Clinic, Mahikeng Local Municipality Drivers & Learners Testing Centre and Customer Service Centre in Mahikeng, North West Province on Tuesday.

Deputy Minister Bapela also engaged with management at the service delivery sites. Although the FSDM visits take the form of surprise visits to monitor the quality of service delivery rendered at the targeted sites, engagements with the management provided useful management information resulting from the visits, which could be used to improve service delivery

Meanwhile, The Deputy Minister is to present to the special sitting of the Provincial Executive Council (Exco) a report highlighting best practices, challenges and interventions required as per performance monitoring visits to schools, Health facilities, Police stations and SASSA Offices conducted earlier in March.